Within today’s church, it’s a peculiarity of our self-focused culture and age to wonder “What is God’s purpose for my life?” Now, that’s not a wrong sentiment in itself. But it is seeking something from God with which many Christians did not earlier concern themselves. For long before it became a trend to wonder about […]
St. James of Jerusalem
October 23, 2011 by
It’s a sad fluke of history when we forget the prominent people who shaped their times. It’s even sadder when the Church has succumbed to this failing. But that such a fate should fall on such a first-rank figure of the Apostolic Church is even more worthy of lamentation. James, the stepbrother of Jesus, was […]
Challenges for Lutheranism Today (and so also for the LWML)
October 17, 2011 by
This is the October Bible study for our LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League), which focuses on the challenges that exist for the Lutheran Church today. ———- On September 10, 2011, LC-MS President, Matt Harrison, spoke to the Lutheran Church of Nigeria on this topic: “Lutheranism: Challenges, Problems, and Opportunities.” President Harrison listed five areas of […]
Luke 14:1-14, “Friend, Move Up Higher”
October 16, 2011 by
It’s a dangerous decision to make when planning a wedding reception, to decide who sits where. Some folks will value where you place them to sit, near the bride and groom, near the place of honor. Others will feel insulted, having to sit too far way from where they think they belong. But if you […]
The Mystical Union: Ephesians 3:16-19
October 9, 2011 by
We, as a nation, are adrift, confused and unsure. We fill our lives with noise and motion, through which we mask the haunting silence of not being able to answer this question: “What is the meaning of my life?” What about you? What is your purpose? Why you are here, at this place and time? […]
How to Seek God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness: Matthew 6:24-34
October 2, 2011 by
If a father loves fishing, he teaches his son how to fish. If a mother loves quilting, she teaches her daughter how to quilt. What you love, you talk about and do. That’s just obvious. What you love, you pass on to your children, because you love them. You want them to love what you […]
Back to One Divine Service
October 2, 2011 by
On Sunday, October 2nd, we are going back to one Divine Service. The schedule for Shepherd of the Hills is now 8:15 AM for Sunday School and 9:30 AM for the Sunday Divine Service.
University Lutheran Chapel Sold
September 29, 2011 by
From Pastor Will Weedon, Hamel, IL: …they did it. [The] Minnesota South [District of the LC-MS] has sold University Lutheran Chapel’s building. Pr. Peters expresses his distress here. I utterly agree, and the only thing I’d add is this: Let us not in righteous indignation fall into the snare of the devil. Rather, when wronged […]
Walking in the Spirit: Galatians 5:16-24
September 25, 2011 by
Oh, how wretched we Christians can often seem! Through the waters of baptism, the Holy Spirit creates spiritual life in us, through which we are born from above (John 3:3-6). Yet, this spiritual birth is but the beginning of a constant conflict between our sinful nature and the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul calls […]
The Lord’s Supper: Christ’s Life-Giving Gift, “Often” Received
September 21, 2011 by
This is our pastor’s newsletter article for October, 2011. The picture is also of our pastor praying the Proper Preface, which is part of the liturgy for the Sacrament of the Supper. Recently during Sunday School, someone asked this question: “Why don’t we have communion every Sunday since that’s been the Church’s practice from the […]
